This includes the ability to recognise chairs, and understand how items such as microwaves and umbrellas are used.

The researchers say Robo Brain is not just capable of recognising objects, but of understanding how they are used, as well as more complex concepts – including human language and behaviour.

For example, it can recognise objects such as mugs, and understand what a mug is used for and how it is carried.

It is also able to recognise when someone is watching television, and knows not to get in the way.

Ashutosh Saxena, of Cornell University, one of the researchers behind the project, said the idea was to create a huge repository of information that robots could call on to perform tasks around the house or at work.

“If a robot encounters a situation it hasn’t seen before, it can query Robo Brain in the cloud,” he said.

Experts believe robots may be available in homes within 10 years, with robot vacuum cleaners and lawnmowers among the devices already available.

More humanoid robots, able to assist disabled or elderly people, are now being developed.

Researchers are increasingly looking to develop central repository stores of information to power these robots.